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LOS ANGELES -- Justin Bieber says his thoughts and prayers are with the family of a paparazzo who was fatally struck by a car after taking pictures of the singer's Ferrari sports car in Los Angeles.

In a statement released Wednesday by Island Def Jam Music Group, Bieber says he hopes the tragedy will inspire legislation to protect the lives of celebrities, police, bystanders and photographers themselves.

Police Officer James Stoughton says the photographer died Tuesday evening at a hospital.

Stoughton says Bieber was not in the Ferrari at the time. Sgt. Rudy Lopez told the Los Angeles Times that the pop star's friend was driving the car when it was pulled over for a traffic stop.

Police say the paparazzo was struck by another motorist while returning to his own car.